The problem of magic pipe polluters being used to sidestep waste-disposal rules looks to be continuing, with the US Justice Department stating on Thursday May 10th that Japanese cargo-vessel company Nitta Kisen Kaisha Ltd (NKK) would be paying a fine of $1m after admitting that its engineers poured pollutants into waters off North Carolina and tried to cover up the operation with false paperwork.
Prosecutors said the ship discharged oily waste through magic-pipe hoses that were discovered by the US Coast Guard during an inspection in May 2017. Nitta and its chief engineer were placed on probation and the firm was ordered to implement a compliance plan that will be monitored for three years.